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Roger still on course for history

07.07.2007 | Tennis

Roger is just one step away from his fifth Wimbledon title! He will meet Rafael Nadal in tomorrow's men's singles after defeating Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 today.

At first, Gasquet showed no ill-effects of last night's thrilling five-set victory over third seed Andy Roddick. Seeking to keep alive his bid for a record-equalling fifth straight title, Roger had to save three break points to keep his nose in front in bright sunshine on Centre Court. But our star raised his game when it mattered most to break Gasquet in the 12th game of the set to take it 7-5.

Watched by Bjorn Borg, the man whose record he is aiming to equal, Roger clearly took heart from that hard-fought success and it began to look ominous for his 21-year-old opponent, making his debut in a grand slam semi-final.

Gasquet had to call for a medical time-out after the second set to receive treatment on his left ankle. It did not appear initially appear to be too serious, especially when he produced a running forehand winner which had Roger raising his eyes skyward in disbelief, but the latter star responded with six aces in his next two service games to remain on level terms at 3-3.

Roger is now more than ready to equal the record of Bjorn Borg and claim his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. "Never, ever - and I think the same for him - did we think we were going to win Wimbledon so many times," said Roger of Borg, who was watching from the Royal Box today. "Now I'm in the position to equal his great record. I saw him sitting there today, thank God only in the second set so I could concentrate on the first set first. It is tricky when you see him sitting there because he is a living legend. It is a boost, but it can also be a negative thing if you put too much pressure on yourself. In the end you've got to block it out, whoever is sitting there. I have so much respect for him that it is great that he's here. I hope I can do the job tomorrow."

Nadal, meanwhile, did not have to fight for his place in the final. Djokovic explained a blister sustained during his win over Baghdatis had become infected, and painful enough to make him seriously consider whether to take to the court at all. "I didn't sleep during the night because there was a lot of bleeding and I was barely walking this morning," he said. Djokovic was forced to retire at 4-1 down in the third set.